CHAPTER 28:
My mom had always wanted to build and live in a log cabin. I think it was her pioneer roots that fed this hope of hers. Her family traveled the Oregon Trail in covered wagons, staked out land in the Oklahoma Land Grab. They were people who built things from the ground up. So one day, she and my step-father bought a little 3 acre plot of land and started building. They did as much of the work as they could by themselves: sheet rock, painting, installing cabinets. Binkey (my step-father’s nickname) even installed hardwood floors from planks of wood he had been saving: wild cherry, oak, and even tiger’s eye maple. It was a cozy little house made out of love. When it was all finished, Binkey built mom a koi pond in the front yard. He placed a concrete edge around it and in the edge, penned in mountain rocks, he wrote “Blessed Hope.” That was the name they gave their little piece of property. It was two-fold in meaning, I think. They felt blessed in the fact that their hope to build this little bit of heaven on earth actually came to fruition. They also loved the Lord and held a hope of the blessings to come in heaven.
I rode by “Blessed Hope” the other day, just to see what it looked like years after both Momma and Binkey have gone to the real “Blessed Hope.” The house looked well taken care of. The beautiful flower beds and Binkey’s garden were gone, but the yard was green and groomed. The “Blessed Hope” marker was gone too. I’m sure whoever removed it had no idea what it meant. But I know. And I also know the hope of the blessings that await us in the LORD. He has written them out plainly for all to see. He has repeated them over and over for us, for we are forgetful creatures. He has also clearly stated the curses that await for those who do not obey. Chapter 28 gives us the details of both. There is a lot of reading today. Let’s see what God says.
Read Deuteronomy 28:1-2.
These verses promise blessings. What are the “if” statements that stipulate the blessings?
Read Deuteronomy 28:3-8.
If you could pick a word to sum up the blessings, what word would you pick: nothing, something, everything? Why did you choose this word?
Read Deuteronomy 28:9-14.
What else did you learn about God’s blessings?
What stayed the same?
Read Deuteronomy 28: 15-20. Make a list of the curses as you read.
Did you notice the “if” statement that started this list of curses?
Why do you think Moses keeps repeating this?
If you do this ______, then the LORD will do this ______. That is how this section is set up for us. A person’s actions were in the verses you just read. Now we are about to read the consequences of those actions. You might want to look for the words “the LORD will” to help you find the list of consequences.
Read Deuteronomy 28:21-68. Be prepared for some gruesome consequences. Make a list of consequences as you go, or underline “the LORD will” in your Bible to help you find them easily.
“What terrible things the LORD outlines in chapter 28.” That is what I wrote at the top of my page in my Bible. And do you want to know what is even worse? They all happened. Even the cannibalism happened during a siege on Israel. You can read about it in 2 Kings Chapter 6 starting in verse 24. The Israelites moved into the Promised Land, became distracted by the things around them, complacent in their wealth, and they forgot about following the LORD. All of the curses came upon them. It makes me so sad to know that man can fall to such depravity. I am no exception. I can fall just like the Israelites did. So can you.
You know, I’m not sure how much clearer God could make things for us. He tells us over and over who He is and what He wants. He gives us warnings and promises of blessings. He illustrates with examples, images, metaphors, parables, and just plain words. He tells us He loves us, wants us to be with Him, and gives us glimpses of the beautiful things to come. But He also shows us the curses that await for those who dare to hate Him, who dare to create their own god and follow a lie.
Why, oh why, would we not listen to Him? Why would we ever disregard the words of the Creator of the universe? And, if we do believe Him and if we do want to follow Him, then why would we do it half-heartedly? And why would we NOT share what we know with those around us?
I cannot think of any reasonable answer. I cannot think of any excuse we have for not listening, obeying, or telling others. None. And yet . . . we don’t. We get wrapped up in our own mini-worlds, our own desires, our own thoughts, and we disregard our Creator and our Savior.
And yet . . . He still reaches out to us. He still offers to forgive our wayward hearts. He still wants to pull us close, protect us, provide for us. He still loves us. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” – a blessed life with Him for all eternity (John 3:16).
God is faithful. His Word is true. And His promises are sure. He has promised both blessings and curses, but he has done everything possible to ensure you are blessed beyond measure besides forcing you to choose Him. He will not make you. You must choose!
Choose now! Acknowledge that you are a sinner, you have not obeyed, and you need His forgiveness. Ask Him for it. He will forgive you, for this is His promise. Amen! Then go and commit your life to Him, or recommit, if you know you have been unfaithful in your walk. He is our blessed hope! Love Him for He loves you. Remember what He has done to save you and protect you and provide for you. Fear Him as your faithful and true and sure Creator and Savior. Obey Him out of thankfulness and respect. Then go out and teach others what you know about Him. Bring Him glory and be blessed! Amen!
Lesson to Remember: God is faithful and true.
A Way to Walk: Live out each day with the resolve to be faithful to Him. When you goof up, and you will, ask for forgiveness, do what you can to right the wrong, and go forward in the confidence that you are His child, loved and cared for by Him. Be thankful!
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